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collections

This is a Tuesday, June 25, 2002 file picture, showing a four-rotor Enigma machine, right, once used by the crews of German U-boats in World War II to send coded messages, which British World War II code-breaker mathematician Alan Turing, was instrumental in breaking, and which is widely thought to have been a turning point in the war. AP Photo/Alex Dorgan Ross. By: Jill Lawless, Associated Press

Although Alan Turing is celebrated for his contributions to code creation and translation, his personal relationship with Britain was not always as favorable. Finally his papers, which recently went untouched at auction, have found a new home thanks to aid from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Brian Herzog’s re-cap of the re-defining libraries PLA conference lecture has got me thinking again about what it means to collect and how that benefits your user groups. Centralized libraries of course are obligated to collect materials from a wide range of subjects to offer the best of every discipline for their patrons. But what really brings the masses through the doors? Why, specialized collections, of course!

Understanding your community and it’s needs is essential to any business. Why should libraries act any different? Herzog gives a few key examples:

“Seed library

San Mateo is a “food desert” so this encourages people to eat healthier. Partnered with a group called Collected Roots – they help people created a raised bed in their backyard, and teach them how to plant (all for free).

How it works

all seeds are donated

people write down what seeds they’re taking (comes with info on when and how to plant

people don’t need to return seeds (also don’t want seeds that have been cross-pollinated